SYSTEM FOR PASSENGER MONITORING

• US 20140015971A1
• Filed: 07/09/2013
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher Dejuliis
• Original Assignee: Christopher Dejuliis
• Inventors: DeJuliis, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,602,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1115 Monitoring leaving of a patient support, e.g. a bed or a wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6893 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/29 for viewing an area inside the vehicle, e.g. for viewing passengers or cargo
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0017 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8013 for child monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention embraces a system for passenger monitoring. The system typically includes a monitoring device and a monitor positioned in a motor vehicle. The monitoring device typically includes a camera having a field of view directed towards a first passenger location in the motor vehicle. The monitor typically includes a user interface and a processor in communication with the user interface and the monitoring device. The user interface typically includes a visual display. The processor is typically configured to receive images from the camera and display the images on the visual display in near real time.

Claims

1. A system for passenger monitoring, comprising:

a first monitoring device positioned in a motor vehicle, the first monitoring device comprising a first camera having a field of view directed towards a first passenger location in the motor vehicle;

a monitor positioned in the motor vehicle, the monitor comprising a user interface and a processor in communication with the user interface and the first monitoring device, the user interface comprising a visual display, the processor being configured to receive images from the first camera and display the images on the visual display in near real time, wherein the monitor is positioned in the motor vehicle so that an operator location in the motor vehicle is within a field of view of the visual display.

2. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, comprising a seat sensing pad positioned in a child safety seat, the seat sensing pad being configured to detect (i) moisture in the child safety seat, (ii) the temperature of a passenger located in the child safety seat, and/or (iii) the heart rate of a passenger located in the child safety seat, wherein the seat sensing pad is in communication with the monitor, and wherein the processor is configured to display information from the seat sensing pad on the visual display.

3. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, comprising a second monitoring device positioned in the motor vehicle, the second monitoring device comprising a camera having a field of view directed towards a second passenger location in the motor vehicle, the second monitoring device being in communication with the monitor;

wherein the processor is configured to (i) receive images from the second monitoring device'"'"'s camera and display the images on the visual display in near real time, (ii) toggle between displaying images from the first monitoring device on the visual display and images from the second monitoring device on the visual display, (iii) determine that there is a passenger issue associated with the first monitoring device or the second monitoring device, and (iv) continuously displaying images from the monitoring device associated with the passenger issue on the visual display during the duration of the passenger issue.

4. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, comprising a seat status sensor attached to a child safety seat, the seat status sensor being configured to detect whether a passenger is secured within the child safety seat, wherein the seat status sensor is in communication with the monitor, and wherein the processor is configured to display an indication of whether a passenger is secured with the child safety seat on the visual display.

5. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the first monitoring device is attached to a child safety seat, the first camera being positioned so that the field of view is directed towards the child safety seat.

6. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the first monitoring device comprises a sensor for detecting low lighting conditions, the first monitoring device comprising an illumination device configured to illuminate the first passenger location when the sensor detects a low lighting condition.

7. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the first monitoring device comprises a microphone.

8. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein:

the first monitoring device comprises a carbon-monoxide sensor for detecting levels of carbon monoxide within the motor vehicle; and

the processor is configured to (i) display the detected level of carbon monoxide on the visual display and (ii) provide a notification via the user interface of an unsafe detected level of carbon monoxide.

9. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein:

the first monitoring device comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature within the motor vehicle; and

the processor is configured to (i) display the detected temperature on the visual display and (ii) provide a notification via the user interface of an unsafe detected temperature.

10. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein:

the first monitoring device comprises a second camera having a field of view directed towards a second passenger location in the motor vehicle;

the processor is configured to (i) receive images from the second camera and display the images on the visual display in near real time, (ii) toggle between displaying images from the first camera on the visual display and images from the second camera on the visual display, (iii) determine that there is a passenger issue associated with the first camera or the second camera, and (iv) continuously displaying images from the camera associated with the passenger issue on the visual display during the duration of the passenger issue.

11. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is a mobile device.

12. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to (i) analyze the images received from the first camera to detect changes a passenger'"'"'s color and (ii) provide a notification via the user interface of a detected change to a passenger'"'"'s color.

13. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises an audio notification device, the processor being configured to provide an audio notification via the audio notification device of a detected change to a passenger'"'"'s color.

14. The system for passenger monitoring according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to (i) detect the status of the connection between the first monitoring device and the monitor and (ii) display an indicator of the status of the connection between the first monitoring device and the monitor on the visual display.

15. A system for passenger monitoring, comprising:

a first monitoring device positioned in a motor vehicle, the first monitoring device comprising a first camera having a field of view directed towards a first passenger location in the motor vehicle;

a mobile device comprising a user interface, a communications system, a motion sensor, and a processor in communication with the user interface, the communications system, the motion sensor, and the first monitoring device, the user interface comprising a visual display, the processor being configured to operate a passenger monitoring application, the passenger monitoring application being configured to;

receive images from the first camera and display the images on the visual display in near real time;

detect motion using the motion sensor;

in response to a predetermined amount of detected motion, disable any telephone and/or text-messaging functionality of the communications system.